The main objective of this project was to achieve maximum safety as well as to increase the duration of the races. In terms of safety, the strategy was to maximize the car’s handling and dynamic performances by achieving a very high downforce.

To do that, the designer envisioned the use of a solution borrowed from the military aviation world: four jet engines with the exhausts faced towards the top, capable of pushing the car to ground with a thrust which can vary depending on the driving conditions.

The jet engines, which use conventional fuel, also provide additional boost when needed via the after burners located at the rear.

The electric drivetrain features in-wheel motors and is fed by three battery packs, one located centrally in mid-rear position and other two positioned at the front.

From a design perspective, Luigi Memola explains how he created some moodboards using his own personal projects as reference: he started to look at some of the automotive designs for inspiration, but in the end the main aesthetic drive was offered by a fashion-design image.

The futuristic looking diva hat provided the basic idea for the sleek, curved section of the canopy, a sinuous capsule delimited by razor sharp edges.

After the main design feature and aesthetic direction was set, the layout, ergonomics and basic volumes were researched through a series of sketches, and once the ideas were clear enough the vehicle development went into the 3D modeling stage, done using Rhinoceros.

The surface treatment is based on clean surfaces, and combines the curved, droplet-shaped top section – including the canopy and its wraparound windshield – with the more linear and boxy shapes used on the side pods, the wheel-arches and the front end.

The base surfaces are combined with a number of aerodynamic elements, including the large rear spoiler, the shark fin, the large air openings on the flanks and the various flaps and wings.

The overall result reveals the influence of modern race cars and their extreme aerodynamics and the research that was made regarding advanced yet plausible technologies.

Expanding on the project scope, Luigi Memola imagined how the very high fuel and electric consumption could influence the race event: in order to avoid frequent pit stops he decided to integrate into the race an aerial refueling system, with autonomous flying drones capable of refueling and recharging the cars “on the fly”.

The Desmotronic Concept is also part of a bigger fictional project envisioning the racing and motorsports world of tomorrow with a series of vehicles under the AEG 27 brand as well as a number of background stories.

About Luigi Memola

Luigi Memola is a designer from Turin, Italy specializing in vehicle and advance design. He runs the London-based studio Epta Design.

During his spare time he also develops visionary project, including a Mecha design recently published – along with the works of 40 reknown concept designers – in the book Nuthin’ But Mech Volume 4 published by Design Studio Press and available from September 2018.